Yelena, age 16, has learned to turn her ideas into reality. She’s been studying violin at Harmony Project for six years, and has recently begun to compose music.

Learning to compose came naturally, since she was already used to improvising on her violin. “My teachers at Harmony Project have helped me put my thoughts and feelings on paper — I can express myself much better with music than with words.” Yelena has worked hard to develop her musicianship, and Harmony Project is thrilled to have helped jumpstart her musical life — she told us, “I used to dream that I would wake up on Christmas morning and find a violin waiting for me under the tree.”

We’re spotlighting children as they grow up in Harmony Project, from age 6 through high school graduation, as a special ‪#‎GivingTuesday‬ feature.